Avoid stereotypes, generalizations or assumptions about ethnic or racial groups.

Respect labels preferred by specific racial or ethnic groups and only use if necessary. For example:

Black peoples

people of African descent

Africans

First Nation peoples

Aboriginal peoples

South Asian

East Asian

South East Asian

Middle Eastern

North African

Avoid using phrases such as "on the warpath", "Indian giver" etc.

Avoid using words like "Gestapo", "concentration camp" and "Hitler" casually. Try to use these words only in reference to the Second World War.

Gender

Avoid male or female pronouns when referring to groups composed of both men and women or of unspecified gender.

Also try to avoid the use of word combinations such as him and her, his/her, and s/he.

Use of the plural form of the noun with the relevant pronoun is often the simplest way to avoid sexist language. There are many alternatives to gender-biased language.

See also Talking Gender by Ruth King et al., and Handbook of Nonsexist Writing by Casey Miller and Kate Swift.

Gil Dalton is the chair (not chairman) of the Board of Regents.

Professor Latimer worked in the fishing industry (not was a fisherman) before deciding on an academic career.

When referring to two groups of opposite sexes, use parallel language.

men and women

ladies and gentlemen (but not men and ladies)

husband and wife (not man and wife)

men’s and women’s varsity basketball teams (not men’s and girls’)

Unless the role of wife, mother, sister or daughter is important to the context, avoid identifying women in these terms. Marital status should also not be noted, unless pertinent.

Physical descriptions should not be included unless they are relevant to the story. Neither men nor women should be stereotyped.

For instance, avoid describing women only in terms of physical attributes if men are described by mental attributes or career status.

Don’t write:

James Carrera is a respected geologist, and his wife Anna is a striking blonde.

Rather, write:

Both the Carreras are highly respected in their fields. Anna is a well-known musician and James is a respected geologist.

Avoid stereotyping careers or jobs. Don’t write:

Housewives are paying more.

Write:

Shoppers are paying more.

Depict men and women equally in terms of physical prowess or mental ability. Don’t automatically ascribe particular emotions or feelings to women and actions to men, or vice versa; men can be sensitive and women physically active. Depict men and women equally in the workplace.